Telegraphic transmitter.



PATENTED MAR. 14, 1905.

M. ARMSTRONG.

TELEGRAPHIG TRANSMITTER.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 29, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- Martin Armstrong PATENTED MAR. 14, 1905. M. ARMSTRONG. TELEGRAPHIG TRANSMITTER.

ww/wbo'z Martin Armstrong 3 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

W a 5 5 km mm OH No. 784,529. PATENTED MAR. 14, 1905. M. ARMSTRONG.

TELEGRAPHIC TRANSMITTER.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 29, 1902.

s SHEETS-SHEET a.

Martin Armstrong WW mama No. T 84,529.

I NITED STATES Patented March 14, 1905.

PATENT Orrica.

TELEGRAPHIC TRANSMITTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 784,529, dated March 14, 1905.

Application filed December 29, 1902. Serial No. 136,992.

To all it'll/0m it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN ARMSTRONG, a citizen of the United States, residing at the city *of St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Telegraphic Transmitter, of which the followingis such a full, clear, and exact description as will enable any one skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of ma chines in which the signals of the Morse or similar code are transmitted by operatingkeys on theinachine. lt is intended to be used either in connection with a type-writing machine, so that the signal will be sent and the character written by the depression of the same key, or it can be furnished with keys which perform only the function of transmitting the signal.

My invention consists in part in the combination, with a signal-producing member, of a contact member therefor, means for producing relative reciprocal movement between said members and an electric circuit through said members, said circuit being adapted to be made and broken by the movement in one direction, and means for breaking the circuit during the entire movement in the opposite direction.

My invention also consists in certain other novel features and details of construction, all of which are described in the following specilication and pointed out in the claims afiixed hereto.

1n the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of my transmitter, the casing being shown in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section showing the base of a type-writer in position upon the transmitter. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of some of the parts shown in Fig. 2. Fig. L is an enlarged sectional view showing the detail of construction and also showing the circuit diagrammatically. Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing the means for winding the motor, and Fig. 6 is a vertical section showing a modified form.

tween the linger l6 and the plate 11.

Like marks of reference refer to similar parts in the several views of the drawings.

10 is the casing of the machine, which in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is preferably of such size as just to accommodate the base of a type-writing machine upon its top. Within the casing 10 is a signal-producing device 11, which consists of a plate of insulating material into which is set a suitable conducting metal 12, so that when the contact member passes over the face of the plate 11 it will make and break the circuit, and so produce the dots and dashes of the Morse or other code of signals.

My device is provided with a contact member, preferably consisting of a sliding bar 14, an insulating-block 1'5, and a linger 16, pivoted in said block, as best shown in'Fig. at. The arrangement of these parts is such that when the contact-bar 14 moves forward the linger 16 will be held against the lower contact edge 17 of the-bar 14, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4:, while when the bar 14: is moving toward the rear the finger 16 will be thrown away from the contact edge 17, as shown in the full lines, and thus the circuit will be broken. In Fig. 4, 18 represents the circuit in which is introduced a suitable sounder 19. It will be noted that one end of the circuit is connected to the contact-bar l l and the other end to the contact metal 12 of the signal-producing plate 11. Each of the contact-bars 1% is preferably reduced, as shown at 20, so as to form a spring to give a yielding contact be- The contact-bars H: are provided with slots 21 and 22, through which pass guide-bolts 23 and 24;, respectivcl y. The various contact-bars 14 are separated by means of washers 25 on the bolts 23 and 24. The contact-bars 1% are held in their retracted positions by means of springs 26, one end of which is fastened to the contact-bar and the other end to a rod 27, Figs. 1 and 2, passing across the machine. .Projecting upwardly from each of the contactbars 1% is an arm 28, to which is pivoted one end of a rack-bar 29. Pivoted to each of the rack-bars 29 is a toothed locking-lever 30, adapted to engage with a detent 31 upon a second arm 32, also carried by the contact-bar 14. The rack-bar 29 is forced upwardly by means of aspring 33, and the locking-lever 30 is forced forward, so as to engage With the detent 31 by means of a spring 34. Secured to the top of the casing 10 are stops 35, which are adapted to come in contact with the locking-lever 30, so as to release the rack-bars 29 and allow them to be forced upward by the springs 33. Passing through the top of the casing 10 are a number of releasing-pins 36, each preferably provided on its lower end with a wheel 37. The pins are held in their raised position by means of springs 38. The wheels 37 are adapted to come in contact with the upper edges of the rack-bars 29 and force them downwardly for the purpose hereinafter to be described. The releasing-pins 36 are so arranged that when a type-writing machine 40 is placed upon the top of the transmitter the key-bars 41 of the said type-writing machine will rest upon the upper ends of the said pins 36.

Passing beneath the various rack-bars 29 is a toothed roller or cylinder 45. Secured to the shaft of this cylinder 45 is a spur-wheel 46 and a fly-wheel or balance-wheel 47. Meshing with the spur-wheel 46 is a second spurwheel 48. Upon the same shaft as this spurwheel 48 is a spur-wheel 49, which meshes witha similar spur-wheel 50. The spur-wheel 50 is rigidly secured to the same shaft with a beveled gear-wheel 51, which in turn meshes with an ordinary gear-wheel 52. This beveled gear-wheel 52 drives a governing mechanism 53, which communicates with a hand 54, playing on a scale 55, and thus indicating the speed of the mechanism. The spur-wheel 50 meshes with a spur-wheel 56 upon the same shaft to which is secured a spur-wheel 57. This spur-wheel- 57 engages with a larger spur-wheel 58, which is rigid upon ashaft 59, extending across the front end of the transmitter. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 59 is a ratchet-wheel 60.

61 is a coil-spring one end of which is secured to the ratchet-wheel and the other end to the spur-wheel-58.

Loosely mounted upon the shaft 59 are two arms 62, which are connected by means of a finger-bar 63, extending across the front of the machine. Each of the arms 62 is provided with a pawl 64, which is adapted to engage with the ratchet-wheel 60 and a similar ratchet-Wheel 65 at the opposite end of the shaft 59. The ratchet-wheel 65 is also provided with a retaining-pawl 67, as shown in Fig. 5. The arms 62 are held in their raised position by means of coil-springs 66. Any other suitable form of motor may be used instead of the spring-motor above described.

In the operation of my device the finger-bar 63 is first depressed a number of times to wind the spring 61. The movement of this spring 61 is communicated, through the gearing, to the toothed cylinder 45. It will be understood that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3. except that the ratchet-bars 14 are retracted by means of the springs 26. Now when one of the key-bars 41 of the type-writer is depressed it willdepress the corresponding releasing-pin 36, and thus force one of the rack-bars 29 into contact with the revolving toothed cylinder 45, in which position it will be held by means of the locking-lever 30, engaging with the detent 31, as shown in Fig. 2. The rack-bar will now be fed forward by the movement of the roller 45 and will cause the finger 16 to pass over the signal-producing plate 11, so as to make and break the circuit and form the desired signal. As soon as the locking-lever 30 comes in contact with the stop 35 it will be forced out of engagement with the detent 31, and the rack-bar 29 will be free to rise to the position shown in Fig. 3. The contact-bar 14 will then be immediately returned to its normal position by the spring 26. It will be apparent from this that the character will be printed by the typewriter and transmitted through the wire 18 at the same time. The indicator 54 will show the speed of the motor mechanism, and if it is not sufiicicntly great the finger-bar 63 can be repeatedly depressed until the correct speed is obtained, and this speed can be maintained by depressing the finger-bar at suitable intervals during the operation of the machine.

In the modification shown in Fig. 6 the transmitter is provided with key-bars of its own and does not depend upon the key-bars of a type-writer. In this modification the motor mechanism is also dispensed with. The signal-producing plate and the contact-bars are the same as in that previously described. The rack-bar 29, however, is provided with an inclined projection 68, which is adapted to come into contact with a stop 69, carried by the front of the casing, and so force the rackbar into contact with the toothed cylinder 45. In this modification the spring 26 is so arranged as to draw the contact-bar 14 downward, while the rack-bar is raised by means of a key-bar 70, which is connected to the arm 32 by means of a link 71. The ends of the shaft of the cylinder 45 are provided with ratchet-wheels 72, which engage with ratchetbars 73, carried by levers 7 4, to which are attached a finger-bar 75, extending across the machine. In the operation of this modified form of the transmitter thefinger-bar is depressed a number of times to cause the ratchet bars 73 to impart motion to the toothed cylinder 45. The balance-wheel 47 is depended upon to maintain the rotation of the cylinder at a substantially uniform rate. As soon as sufficient speed has been imparted to the cylinder 45 one of the keys of the machine is depressed, which through the key-bar 7 O and link 71 will raise the contact bar 14 against the tension of the spring 26. As soon as it has reached its highest position the stop 69 will come in contact with the inclined projection 68, and thus force the rack-bar into contact with the toothed cylinder. The locking-lever will hold the rack-bar in this position until it is released by coming in contact with the stop 35. The tension of the spring 26 will thus tend to rotate the cylinder 45 and keep it at a uniform rate of speed. However, should this speed slaclcen it can again be brought to normal by pressing upon the finger-bar 75.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. Ina telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a key-bar, of a corresponding signal producing member, a contact member movable independently of said key-bar, a rack carried by said contact member, connections between said key-bar and rack and a toothed member for imparting motion to said rack, said rack having lateral movement toward and away from said toothed member.

2. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a key-bar, of a corresponding signalproducing member, a contact member comprising a part movable independently of said key-bar and a linger pivotally mounted on said part and adapted to cooperate with said signal-producing member, a rack carried by said contact member, connections between said key-bar and rack, and a toothed member for imparting motion to said rack, said rack having lateral movement toward=and away from said toothed member.

3. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a key-bar, of a corresponding signal-prod ucing member, a contact member comprising a part movable independently of said key-bar and a contact-finger mounted on said part but insulated therefrom, said contact member and finger being arranged to make electrical contact during the movement of said member in one direction, a rack carried by said contact member, connections between said key-bar and rack, and a toothed member for imparting motion to said rack.

4. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a key-bar, of a corresponding signal-prod ucing member, a contact member movable independently of said key-bar, a rack pivotally carried by said contact member, connections between said key-bar and rack, and a toothed member for imparting motion to said rack.

5. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a signal-producing member, of a 'eciprocating contact member therefor, a rack pivotally mounted on said contact member, a motor-driven toothed cylinder engaging with said rack to move said contact member in one direction, means for bringing said rack into 6. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a key-banof a correspondingsigrial-producing member, a contact member movable independently of said key-bar, a rack pivotally mounted on said contact member, a motor-d riven toothed member for imparting inotion to said rack, and means for disengaging said rack from said toothed member.

7. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a signal-producing member, of a reciprocating contact member therefor. a rack controlling the movement of said contact member in one direction, a rotary toothed member, means for bringing the said rack and rotary toothed member into engagement, a locking device for retaining said latter-named parts in engagement, and means for releasing said locking device.

8. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a signal-producing member, of a reciprocating contact member therefor, a rack pivotally mounted on said contact member, a toothed cylinder, means for forcing said rack laterally into engagement with said cylinder, a locking device for retaining said rack in engagement with said cylinder, and means for releasing said locking device when said con tact member has traveled a predetermined distance.

9. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a signal-producing device, of a reciprocating contact member therefor, a rack pivotally mounted on said contact member, a motor-driven toothed cylinder, means adapted to be actuated by the key-bar of a type writer for forcing said rack laterally into con tact with said cylinder, a locking device for retaining said rack in contact with said cylinder, a stop for releasing said locking device, and a spring for returning said contact.

10. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a key-bar, of a corresponding signal-producing member, a slidingly-mounted contact member provided with a contact-fin ger cooperating with said signal-producing member, a rack carried by said contact member but movable independently thereof, a retary toothed member for driving said rack, and connections between said key-bar and rack for moving the latter into contact with said toothed member.

11. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combination with a key-bar, of a corresponding signal-producing member, a slidingly-mounted contact member provided with a contact-finger cooperating with said signal-producing member, a rack carried by said contact member but movable independently thereof, a rotary toothed member for driving said rack, connections between said key-bar and rack for moving the latter into contactwith said toothed member, and a locking device for retaining said rack in engagement with said rotary toothed member.

12. In a telegraphic transmitter, the combi- IIO nation with a key-bar, of a corresponding signal-producing member, a slidingly-mounted contact member provided with a contact-finger cooperating With said signal-producing member, a rack carried by said contact member but movable independently thereof, a rotary toothed memberfor driving said rack, connections between said key-bar and rack for moving the latter into engagement With said 10 toothed member, a locking device for retainmy hand and affixed my seal in the presence 5 of the two subscribing Witnesses.

MARTIN ARMSTRONG. Vitnesses:

WV. A. ALEXANDER, L. B. BEACH.

liL. s.] 

